Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka might not be made available to major league teams this winter, the president of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles told a Japanese sports newspaper.

Because of new rules that will be implemented, the most the Golden Eagles could receive in exchange for Tanaka’s rights is $20 million. Before Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball started to discuss setting limits on how much MLB teams could bid for Japanese players, there was speculation the Golden Eagles could receive more than the $51.7 million the Nippon Ham Fighters received for the rights to
Yu Darvish two years ago.

Just read that. They were the only team that voted no for the 20M posting cap. They want the 70+M that was thought to be the number to talk to him. They eventually agreed, but are now playing hardball by not making him available.

The new posting agreement puts Tanaka's Japanese team in a bind. They wanted 50+ Million, but the new rules will limit them to only 20 million no matter who signs the pitcher either this year, next year or the year after.

The new rules are certainly not likely to change in the next few years, so the Eagles will have to decide if they want the 20 million or keep the player for another year. Where is their best interests is something that they will have to decide.

I doubt Mr. Tanaka will be very happy if he is not posted since he will easily quadruple his salary for next year (an future years) if he is allowed to enter MLB.